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Darcy's Story    by Janet Aylmer Amazon.com order for
Darcy's Story
by Janet Aylmer
Order:  USA  Can
HarperCollins, 2006 (2006)
Softcover, e-Book

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* * *   Reviewed by Kerrily Sapet

Author Janet Aylmer is an admitted Jane Austen enthusiast. Austen's Pride and Prejudice has become one of the best loved novels since its publication nearly 200 years ago. The intriguing relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy has enthralled readers as the pair falls in love - despite each other - and marries. However, little is said about Darcy's change in perspective, which brings about the end result of the novel. Janet Aylmer has set out to remedy that in her book Darcy's Story, told by Fitzwilliam Darcy.

To those who love Pride and Prejudice, further explorations of the story are welcome and fun to read. In this case Aylmer lives up to the promise. Using as much original dialogue as possible, and remaining true to Austen's work, she gives us the other side of the story. With her imaginative version, she reveals Darcy's mind as he struggles to reconcile his thoughts about standing in society and his growing love and admiration for Elizabeth. She is one of the first women to challenge him, rather than just view him as a wealthy man searching for a wife. Ayler's version of Pride and Prejudice follows the same course as the original, with the same twists and turns that have always delighted readers. What occurs is really no surprise, except for getting Darcy's side of the story, complete with the original frustrations, wit, romances, and happy endings.

For those who love Jane Austen, we all realize no one can recreate Pride and Prejudice quite like her. But Janet Aylmer gives all Austen enthusiasts more fodder for their passion for the classic. She flips the coin and gives us another version, which is still enjoyable and imaginative.

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